Customer Reviews

The Couple Next Door: Collected Short Mysteries (Lost Classics)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a huge fan of Margaret Millar, I bought this book and was so excited to think that here might be wonderful Margaret Millar short stories or novellas that I had never read! I couldn't wait for this book to arrive! After all, I had read my first Margaret Millar book at age 13 in 1963 and had fallen under her spell. I owned every book she had ever written that was ever published, even the very oldest ones. I cherished even those that were certainly not her best, ones which I had spend a great deal of money to purchase from rare book dealers over the years. If there was anything by Ms. Millar "lost" whatever, then I had to praise whoever found it, and then I must have it myself!!

Sadly, this book almost made me weep. Not in gratitude that I had found the great lost "classics" all in one book, not in awe at the writing skill and superb story lines Ms. Millar was known for, but merely in disappointment.

The commentaries and quotes from Ms. Millar and others I found interesting, although my admiration of her fell as it became increasingly obvious that in real life she was more than a little pompous, arrogant, and full of herself. All I can say is......"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then". I guess there is such a thing as TMI, even when it applies to one's favorite author.

The shortest stories in this book written by Ms. Miller, for the most part, were readable, some quite good even, but certainly not her best work. One longer story, however, was so dreadful, and the dialogue so silly and horrible, that I was tempted to throw the book at the wall, but I kept telling myself with every turn of the page....."But this story is written by MARGARET MILLAR, THE GREAT!!! It HAS to be good!!!" Sadly, it wasn't.

Another longer one was just dull and boring. I believe these both were considered novellas, although I would call them something less complimentary and not likely printable. Overall, the book has value only to the very serious ( and obviously not picky ) collector of Margaret Millar's lifetime body of work, regardless of it's quality.

I'm giving the book a 3 star rating. It sounds harsh, but is actually kindness. I rated it out of loyalty to my once all time favorite author, not because it actually deserves a star at all.

My mother used to remind me "You can't have everything!!". I would just add now that sometimes, you shouldn't want it, anyway.

This book is a welcome addition to Crippen & Landru's noteworthy "Lost Classics" series, and I enjoyed reading every page. When it came to telling a good tale replete with intriguing characters, Margaret Millar, wife of noted mystery writer Kenneth Millar (Ross Macdonald), certainly could hold her own not only with her husband, but also with Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, and the best of them. These intelligently written short stories and novellas, finally now collected in book form and expertly tied together by editor and Ross Macdonald biographer Tom Nolan, gripped me from the start and held me captive. I couldn't put it down and read the book in one night!

..These stories will stay in your mind long after you've put away this book. Read it